Man who was jailed in Thailand for stealing a dressing gown returns to Australia – gets arrested

A man who spent almost a year in jail in Thailand for stealing a dressing gown has been arrested on his return to Australia.

After being released from jail, Steven Villa travelled back to Australia on Friday only to be arrested on arrival for breaching a community corrections order.

According to 7 News, Villa was arrested after arriving in Thailand in September 2018 over the theft of a dressing gown which took place during a previous visit to the country.

He had fled to Thailand despite being the subject of the community corrections order.

Villa then spent the next seven months in jail in Thailand before being released in April this year.

Believing the matter to over, Villa tried to leave Thailand was arrested again and spent another three weeks in an immigration detention centre.

After being in contact with the Australian authorities, he was finally given the OK to leave Thailand.

However, after arriving in Australia on Friday he was arrested again for breaching the community corrections order. 

The order stated he must serve 250 hours community service. Villa says he has already served 80 hours.

“I was not trying to get away from my responsibilities,” Villa told Melbourne Magistrate Court on Saturday.

“I have worked really hard to put my life in a positive direction. If I go back to jail that will be a backwards step. I am a changed person.”

Villa, who has a history of using crystal methamphetamine, is engaged to a Thai woman who is three months pregnant.

He told the court how he plans to bring his girlfriend and unborn child to Australia, 7 News reported.
 

Thai Visa / 7 News

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